Baptisms and Encouragement in Michigan
By S. W. Rhodes
Bro. Smith: I wish to say through the Review that the Lord has been good to me, and has manifested a care and love for my soul for years in the past. I feel greatly indebted to him for his unspeakable love, mercy and long suffering towards his unworthy servant. I sometimes think I ought not to claim any relationship to God, his son, good angels, or his church; for all these are holy and I am not yet holy. Notwithstanding my imperfections the Lord often gives me his Holy Spirit. Blessed be his name. I have often been convicted of duty to represent myself through the Review, and speak a few words for God, his cause, and people. The Lord has in many instances blessed my efforts to do good to his people. Strength has been given me (with a few exceptions) to hold one, and often two meetings a week during the past two years. In Ohio and Mich., I have baptized over one hundred souls, most of whom were converted under the labors of others. This day (the Sabbath) has been a good day to me. The good Spirit of the Lord has accompanied his word and the ordinance of baptism. Five souls have put on Christ in this ordinance. Three of the five are nephews of our deceased Bro. Wm. Miller. I mention these three Brn. Guildfords, that their old friends in Oswego Co., N. Y., may have cause to rejoice in hope of meeting them among the 144,000 in the soon coming kingdom. Love and greeting to all saints. S. W. Rhodes. Owasso, Mich., Aug. 6th, 1859. P. S. My P. O. address for the present is Battle Creek, in care of Uriah Smith. S. W. R.